A&S Rescue Services Limited

Updated 14 July 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

This inspection was completed by an inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 26 June 2023 and ended on 29 June 2023. We visited the location’s office on 29 June 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from a local authority who funded some people’s care packages. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We also information we

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager, 4 senior care workers, 1 care worker and 6 relatives about the service their family member received. We looked at aspects of care records for 3 people and medication records. We reviewed a range of documentation relating to the management of the service including training records, staff recruitment, meeting notes, quality assurance audits and policies.

Updated 14 July 2023

About the service

A&S Rescue Services Limited provides care to people living in their own homes. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of our inspection, 11 people were receiving personal care.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People received safe care and support from staff. People spoke highly of the staff, and they felt safe in their care. People were supported by a small team of staff who knew them well. This enabled people to be more confident and assured with staff.

People received their care calls at the expected times and there had been no missed calls. Staff stayed for the duration of the care call. If staff were running late, they were notified.

Staff understood how to recognise where people may be at risk of harm or abuse and knew what action to take. Where people received support to take their medicines, staff had received training and competency assessments and had guidance of how to do this safely.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

There were sufficient numbers of staff who provided consistent care. Staff had been recruited safely, completed an induction, training and shadowed experienced staff before working independently.

Staff followed infection prevention and control national best practice guidance. They wore personal protection equipment to reduce the risk of cross contamination.

People had been involved in their pre-assessment and the development and ongoing review of their care package. People felt staff were well trained, competent, and understood their care and support needs.

Where people required support with eating and drinking this was provided in accordance with the person’s individual care needs, routines, and preferences.

People received care and support that was dignified, respectful, personalised, and promoted their independence.

The provider had changed from having paper care records to an electronic care records system. The electronic care record system was found to not provide the same level of guidance for staff. However, people were positive about the care they received, and staff were knowledgeable. The provider agreed to review their electronic care record system to ensure guidance was sufficiently recorded.

People’s communication needs had been assessed and planned for. People knew how to make a complaint and felt confident they would be listened to and action taken.

The provider had robust systems and processes that continually monitored quality and safety. Effective communication systems were in place to support the staff. The provider had quality assurance procedures in place that enabled people to share their experience of the service. People spoke highly of the staff, management and leadership of the service. Staff spoke positively about working for the provider and felt well trained and supported.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

This service was registered with us on 29 April 2022, and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.